Union Textiles Minister Smriti Irani on Wednesday said cases against Bharatiya Janata Party workers in West Bengal was a reflection of the growing nervousness of the ruling Trinamool Congress in the State.
“That the people are hitting the streets in large numbers is indicative of their disillusionment,” Ms Irani said at a press conference here.
Like the other senior BJP leaders who are visiting the State, the Union Minister was upbeat about the performance of the BJP in the recent Kanthi Dakshin Assembly by-poll. She said the results indicated the “declining popularity” of not only the other political parties but also the TMC. “It is indicative of the efforts put in by the BJP’s Bengal unit. It is also indicative of the declining popularity of the TMC and other political parties in West Bengal,” she said.
“You cannot take citizens of West Bengal for granted anymore,” she added.
Narada case
Asked about the recent probe by the CBI in the Narada news sting videos, Ms. Irani refused to comment saying that constitutional propriety as a Cabinet Minister does not allow her to make any comment on the judicial matter.
Refuting allegations of certain BJP leaders being soft on Mamata Banerjee, Ms. Irani said: “I do not think so. Many senior BJP leaders have come to West Bengal. It is indicative of the support of the government of India to Bengal, and is indicative of the support of the BJP’s national president.”
PTI adds: Ms. Irani dismissed claims that the BJP has a political understanding with the ruling TMC, saying if that was so the police would not have filed cases against State BJP chief Dilip Ghosh. “Cases were filed against the State BJP president and party workers were beaten up,” she said.
